11
Thursday, November 29, 1973
NEW MEASURES TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Restraints Likely On Private Cars And PLBS
A number of measures aimed at expanding the public transport
services in Hong Kong were put forward today by the Secretary for the
Environment, the Hon. J.J. Robson.
He told the Legislative Council that this expansion would almost
certainly have to be associated with restraints on the growth of private
transport; the phasing out of public light buses as a substitute for
double-decker buses and allocating to them their more proper role of
providing feeder services to the main routes; the proper use of taxis; and
the "suppression of pak pals",
Mr. Robson said traffic and transport probably created the greatest
problems of modern living.
"The effect of motor vehicles on both urban and rural life, and
the facilities which have to be provided to meet their insatiable demands,
is almost overwhelming.
'This situation must be brought under control."
He said it was not intended to prescribe routes and fares for
each of the public light bus routes, but instead, Hong Kong would be divided
into a number of zones with a standard fare for each. "The time and
circumstances under which higher fares may be charged will also be laid down
and enforced by the police."
/However,